In this edition of Consumer Voices we:
The prolonged rise in the cost-of-living has seen many Australians unable to keep up with their healthcare costs, which has resulted in many consumers reporting they are delaying seeking care. We know that when care is delayed it often results in poorer health outcomes for people and can also see people depend more on presenting to hospitals for emergency medicine.
A country like Australia must make sure that its citizens can receive healthcare, when and where they need it.
The Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) believes that healthcare in Australia must be accessible, affordable and safe. While these measures are all important pillars of the Australian healthcare system, so too is fairness. People’s ability to access and afford healthcare should not be dependent on their bank balance or their postcode; we are confident this is something all Australians would agree on.
The themes of accessibility, affordability, safety and equity are the core principles on which CHF’s budget submission for 2024-25 has been developed.
In this edition of Consumer Voices we:
The Consumers Health Forum (CHF) has put forward a submission for the Medical Board of Australia's consultation on the recognition of Rural Generalist Medicine as a new field of specialty practice within the current specialty of General Practice. The consultation invites feedback on a joint application from the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
CHF supports the recognition of Rural Generalist Medicine which aims to improve healthcare access and outcomes in rural and remote areas. However, we call for careful implementation, ongoing consumer engagement, and detailed evaluation strategies to help ensure benefits for rural and remote consumers.
On 19 October 2023, the Senate referred an inquiry into the appropriate terms of reference for a COVID-19 Royal Commission. CHF is pleased to make this submission, highlighting consumer views and priorities, and advocating for their inclusion in the terms of reference.
Consumers Health Forum held our Annual General Meeting for 2023 on 24 October via Zoom. The meeting was attended by twenty member representatives and members of the Board of Directors.
Board Communique to members and consumer reps
December 2023
As 2023 draws to a close, we are distributing a Board Communique from our Chair Tony Lawson.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, the communique gives an update on key programs, our focus for the early part of 2024, and an overview of CHF's operational vision.
The COVID-19 Response Inquiry is currently being led by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C). The inquiry is collecting evidence and policy recommendations on Australia's health and non-health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The final aim of the inquiry is to improve Australia's preparedness for future pandemics. CHF is pleased to make this submission in response to PM&C's COVID-19 Response Inquiry.
Pharmacists in 2030 is a consultation being undertaken by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) and is will build on their 2019 report: Pharmacists in 2023. The report will map out how the pharmacy sector can play a role in addressing issues in the Australian healthcare system. CHF is pleased to make this submission in response to the PSA’s consultation.
In this edition of Consumer Voices we:
Our newsletter, Consumer Voices, will keep you up-to-date with our activities and opportunities to be involved. You can choose to hear from us about new opportunities, events, webinars and more.
Get updates from CHF